Malaysian GP: Red Bull F1 team hampered by brake problems

The Australian started from fourth on the grid but first-corner contact with Nico Rosberg meant he completed the race with front wing damage.

Both Red Bulls also struggled with high brake temperatures throughout the race.

"I was ready for a fight and to do something special," said Ricciardo. "But I think the race was anything but special.

"We couldn't fight in any situation. Every time I tried we fell back, it was like we paid a price for trying. I was a bit of a passenger."

He said the brake problem began very early in the race.

"It developed pretty much after the safety car, it was definitely worse in traffic," Ricciardo said.

"Once we got some clear air it was a bit better for us.

"We just struggled and then when we tried to fight we just had no cards to play with.

"Every time we tried to do something in a battle we just went wide and suffered for trying."

Team-mate Daniil Kvyat finished ninth as Red Bull's sister team Toro Rosso beat the senior squad.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the team had changed brake supplier for this year and needed to fully investigate what happened in Malaysia.

"As soon as we ran into traffic, temperatures started to get very much out of control, particularly managing the brakes, and we really didn't have any pace," he said.

"We were trying to manage our way through the second part of the race to make sure we made it to the end. A fairly frustrating afternoon.

"I think we need to go away, understand some of the issues from the weekend, and make sure we address them - hopefully in time for China."

TORO ROSSO BEATS SENIOR TEAM

With Daniil Kvyat only ninth in the other Red Bull, the junior Toro Rosso team beat its senior sibling. Max Verstappen was seventh, ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr in eighth.

The result made 17-year-old Verstappen the youngest points-scorer in F1 history, although he initially struggled from his sixth place on the grid.

"Just the first few laps were a bit difficult," said the Dutchman. "I struggled with the brakes and the tyres.

"After my first pitstop and we went on the hard and for me it worked much better.

"I found a good rhythm. After 15 laps the brakes started to work as well and the car started to feel great."